Since the early 1960's, meteorologists have studied severe storms
with the aid of numerical models. These computer models are
programmed to solve the mathematical equations describing the flow
of air in the atmosphere including the development and evolution of
storms. These equations describe changes in wind, temperature,
pressure, water vapor amount, cloud water amount, etc. at selected
points in the atmosphere. For example, a modeler might start solving
the equations at some time T, calculating values at the selected
points 10 seconds later. Using these new values, the solution can
be computed at time T + 20 seconds. This process is often continued
for hours as storms grow and decay within the modeled atmosphere.

Today scientists produce billions of numbers during a single storm
simulation and this continues to increase as computer power grows.
Visualization of this data is used to understand what these numbers
are describing and why some storms are severe and others are not.
In this module some of these visualizations are used in discussing
the behavior of simulated storms and their relationship to storms
seen in nature.

SectionsLast Update:09/16/99

SupercellsIllustrations and visualizations help explain these powerful storms
which are the most likely to produce strong tornadoes.

Convective LinesConvective line initiation, squall lines, and non-supercell
thunderstorms which produce tornadoes will be discussed